Def Pen2018-03-19T14:00:59+00:00https://wordpress.org/?v=4.9.4hourly1http://defpen.comdefpenradiohttps://feedburner.google.comSubscribe with My Yahoo!Subscribe with NewsGatorSubscribe with My AOLSubscribe with BloglinesSubscribe with NetvibesSubscribe with GoogleSubscribe with PageflakesSubscribe with PlusmoSubscribe with The Free DictionarySubscribe with Bitty BrowserSubscribe with Live.comSubscribe with Excite MIXSubscribe with WebwagSubscribe with Podcast ReadySubscribe with WikioSubscribe with Daily RotationDeMar DeRozan, Kevin Love Remind Us of Significance of SportsBasketballNBASportsCleveland CavaliersDeMar DeRozanKevin LoveToronto RaptorsHoni Ahmadian2018-03-19T07:00:59-07:002018-03-19T07:00:59-07:00http://defpen.com/?p=262374<div class="post-more"><a href="http://defpen.com/demar-derozan-kevin-love-mental-health/" class="btn btn-primary btn-effect"><span>View Post</span><span><i class="icon icon-arrow-right"></i></span></a></div>
<p>The post <a rel="nofollow" href="http://defpen.com/demar-derozan-kevin-love-mental-health/">DeMar DeRozan, Kevin Love Remind Us of Significance of Sports</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="http://defpen.com">Def Pen</a>.</p><figure style="max-width: 2873px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img src="https://i2.wp.com/defpen.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/demar-derozan-kevin-love.jpg?resize=1140%2C855" width="1140" height="855" alt="DeMar DeRozan" class="size-full" data-recalc-dims="1" /><figcaption class="wp-caption-text">DeMar DeRozan and Kevin Love have led the discussion on mental health in sports (John E. Sokolowski/USA TODAY Sports)</figcaption></figure>
<p>At its heart, sports is pure entertainment. While individual games and seasons can seem crucial in the moment, taking a step back to look at the bigger picture shows us the relative insignificance of sports to our daily lives. Even the life or death nature of playoff matches results in no more than a few hours of glee or misery dependent on the results for our favorite teams.</p>
<p>But sports serve to give us more than just entertainment. Occasionally, we are reminded that athletes tell us stories that inspire or motivate us beyond their workplace. </p>
<p>That was the case in recent weeks when DeMar DeRozan &#8211; and later Kevin Love &#8211; spoke out about their struggles with mental health. It was previously seen as a faux pas in the world of sports, an admission of weakness in a field where strength is the only option.</p>
<p>In sports, mental strength is used unabashedly in the laziest analysis of the biggest news in the industry. When LeBron James struggled in his first Finals appearance with the Miami Heat in 2011, the need for a sports psychologist was thoroughly discussed by pundits. It was inconceivable for a near-immortal athlete to struggle on the biggest stage unless there was something wrong in his head.</p>
<p>Former first-round pick Royce White lost his career due to his anxiety preventing him from flying with the team. It was assuredly a difficult problem for a professional athlete to survive but not much effort was given by his teams or those paid to talk about them to understand his struggles. White&#8217;s career ended after only three regular-season games in the NBA all at home.</p>
<p>Slowly but surely, however, that tide may be changing.</p>
<p>Toronto Raptors guard DeMar DeRozan inspired a dialogue <a href="http://defpen.com/demar-derozan-depression/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">with a fairly innocuous post</a> on his social media right before All-Star Weekend: </p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">This depression get the best of me&#8230;</p>
<p>&mdash; DeMar DeRozan (@DeMar_DeRozan) <a href="https://twitter.com/DeMar_DeRozan/status/964818383303688197?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 17, 2018</a></p></blockquote>
<p><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p>
<p>Here is an MVP candidate, one of the leaders of currently the best team in the Eastern Conference, admitting vulnerability at three in the morning.</p>
<p>Even in the ugly world of sports fandom, DeRozan was showered with support and praise. His honesty on the matter humanized him to his fans. DeRozan was no longer the epitome of strength under all pressure, the face of constant improvement and ability as one of the key figures in putting the Raptors on the map. </p>
<figure style="max-width: 800px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img src="https://i0.wp.com/defpen.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/DeMar-DeRozan.jpg?resize=800%2C437" width="800" height="437" alt="DeMar DeRozan" class="size-full" data-recalc-dims="1" /><figcaption class="wp-caption-text">DeMar DeRozan inspired many to open up about their own struggles with mental health (Mark Blinch/Getty Images)</figcaption></figure>
<p>DeRozan&#8217;s tweet and subsequent interviews on the matter not only inspired his fans. Other athletes could look at the shooting guard as inspiration to speak on something previously viewed as taboo. </p>
<p>Kevin Love did so in a <a href="http://defpen.com/kevin-love-talks-mental-health/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">beautifully-penned piece for the Players Tribune</a>, recounting stories of panic attacks during games. Prime examples of how his own struggles with mental health affect his profession. Here was one of the best players in the NBA, the face of one of the biggest plays in Cavaliers&#8217; history to bring Cleveland a championship, admitting that some days everything can be too much to handle.</p>
<p>DeRozan and Love spoke about something that may be a breach of etiquette in the sports world. But silence on this matter is not unique to athletics. <a href="https://adaa.org/about-adaa/press-room/facts-statistics#" rel="noopener" target="_blank">According to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America</a>, more than 18 percent of American adults struggle with anxiety but despite it being &#8220;highly treatable,&#8221; only 36.9 percent actually seek treatment. Similar statistics can be dug up about depression which the ADAA calls the &#8220;<a href="https://adaa.org/understanding-anxiety/depression#" rel="noopener" target="_blank">leading cause of disability</a>&#8221; among 15-44 year-olds in the United States.</p>
<p>It&#8217;s not a stretch to say that everyone is affected by depression in some manner. Whether it directly impacts us or is a crux in the life of our loved ones, mental health is a major obstacle in most lives.</p>
<p>Love and DeRozan forced me to think about depression&#8217;s effects on my own life. I thought not only about my occasional struggles with mental health and how anxiety and depression affect my day-to-day life, but those close to me. I thought about my friend Michael whose struggles led to self-harm during our time together in high school, and suicide soon after I had started college.</p>
<p>It&#8217;s been more than four years since Michael took his own life and not a single day goes by where I don&#8217;t think about what I could have done to prevent that. Truthfully, I did not know how to approach him on the matter and how to be a friend in what was clearly a time of need.</p>
<p>Michael was not alone.<a href="https://afsp.org/about-suicide/suicide-statistics/" rel="noopener" target="_blank"> The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention </a>says that there are 123 suicides per day in the United States making it the tenth-leading cause of death in the country.</p>
<p>Sports are an escape from the real world for many of us, pure entertainment in watching the top one percent of people in the world in their particular profession. But even in an era where every public statement from an athlete is met with cries of &#8220;shut up and dribble,&#8221; the impact that even one or two of the best in the world can have by speaking out about real issues is immense. </p>
<p>In DeMar DeRozan&#8217;s case, it led to <a href="https://www.thestar.com/sports/raptors/2018/02/25/raptors-derozan-hopes-honest-talk-on-depression-helps-others.html" rel="noopener" target="_blank">waves of inspiration</a>: </p>
<blockquote><p>“It’s not nothing I’m against or ashamed of. Now, at my age, I understand how many people go through it. Even if it’s just somebody can look at it like, ‘He goes through it and he’s still out there being successful and doing this,’ I’m OK with that.”</p></blockquote>
<p>The post <a rel="nofollow" href="http://defpen.com/demar-derozan-kevin-love-mental-health/">DeMar DeRozan, Kevin Love Remind Us of Significance of Sports</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="http://defpen.com">Def Pen</a>.</p>
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</div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/defpenradio/~4/j5ayd62OE2s" height="1" width="1" alt=""/>http://defpen.com/demar-derozan-kevin-love-mental-health/feed/0http://defpen.com/demar-derozan-kevin-love-mental-health/2018 NCAA Tournament Round Two Day Two RecapBasketballNCAABSportsAuburn TigersCincinnati BearcatsClemson TigersDakota MathiasEric MusselmanFlorida State SeminolesIsaac HaasKansas State WildcatsMarshall Thundering HerdMichigan State SpartansNevada Wolf PackNorth Carolina Tar HeelsPurdue BoilermakersRobert WilliamsSyracuse OrangeTexas A&M AggiesTyus BattleUMBC RetrieversWest Virginia MountaineersXavier MusketeersDylan Hargis2018-03-19T05:47:53-07:002018-03-19T05:47:53-07:00http://defpen.com/?p=262378<div class="post-more"><a href="http://defpen.com/2018-ncaa-tournament-round-two-day-two/" class="btn btn-primary btn-effect"><span>View Post</span><span><i class="icon icon-arrow-right"></i></span></a></div>
<p>The post <a rel="nofollow" href="http://defpen.com/2018-ncaa-tournament-round-two-day-two/">2018 NCAA Tournament Round Two Day Two Recap</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="http://defpen.com">Def Pen</a>.</p><figure id="attachment_262396" style="max-width: 600px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img class="size-full wp-image-262396" src="https://i2.wp.com/defpen.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/Tyus-Battle-2018-NCAA-Tournament-Round-Two.jpg?resize=600%2C400" alt="2018 NCAA Tournament" width="600" height="400" data-recalc-dims="1" /><figcaption class="wp-caption-text">Tyus Battle #25 of the Syracuse Orange reacts during the second half against the Michigan State Spartans in the second round of the 2018 NCAA Tournament at Little Caesars Arena on March 18, 2018, in Detroit, Michigan.<br />(Source: Elsa/Getty Images)</figcaption></figure>
<p>The 2018 NCAA Tournament has been mind-blowing and full of upsets and highlight plays. Eight spots remained heading into the day and each team was eager to punch it&#8217;s ticket to the second weekend; to be a member of the Sweet Sixteen. The 2018 NCAA Tournament did not disappoint in the first weekend.</p>
<p><strong>Butler Comeback Falls Short at the Buzzer Against Purdue</strong></p>
<p>The East Region two seed Purdue came into the game without star center Isaac Haas due to a <a href="http://defpen.com/isaac-haas-fractured-elbow/">fractured elbow</a> that he suffered in the first round of the tournament. The 10 seed Butler Bulldogs came into the game with upset on the brain against their in-state rivals. The game featured insane contested threes on both sides and the potential emergence of freshman big man Matt Haarms. Vincent Edwards posted 20 points for Purdue while Kelan Martin posted an outstanding 29 for the Bulldogs. A Bulldog run was promptly cut short courtesy of a three-point dagger by Dakota Mathias. Butler&#8217;s half-court buzzer beater to tie did not fall, so Purdue is Sweet Sixteen bound with a 76-73 victory! Three Seed Texas Tech awaits Purdue in the next round.</p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Dakota Mathias hits the big bucket to seal the win for Purdue ?<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/MarchMadness?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#MarchMadness</a><a href="https://t.co/WU0vVBvbZ9">pic.twitter.com/WU0vVBvbZ9</a></p>
<p>— Def Pen Sports (@DefPenSports) <a href="https://twitter.com/DefPenSports/status/975437613682143232?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 18, 2018</a></p></blockquote>
<p><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p>
<p><strong>Syracuse Battles Past Michigan State for Upset Win and Sweet Sixteen Matchup with Duke</strong></p>
<p>The Orange were not supposed to make the tournament, much less win a game. Syracuse was literally the last at-large bid into the tournament this year. The Orange now find themselves staring down a matchup in the Sweet Sixteen against the Duke Blue Devils. Michigan State looked rattled on offense against the mighty Syracuse zone in the final five minutes and it would end up being their downfall. Tyus Battle who led the Orange with 17 points hit a step back to extend the Orange lead to three with 47.6 seconds to go. Jim Boeheim ALWAYS fouls when up three. The strategy worked twice and Syracuse continues the madness by winning 55-53. The Spartans shot just 25.8 percent for the game and had 14 turnovers. A team that wasn&#8217;t supposed to make it past TCU has now upset one of the tournament favorites and has another in its sights.</p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Tyus Battle stepback ? <a href="https://t.co/v6SxXtWnCj">pic.twitter.com/v6SxXtWnCj</a></p>
<p>— Def Pen Sports (@DefPenSports) <a href="https://twitter.com/DefPenSports/status/975479129561735168?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 18, 2018</a></p></blockquote>
<p><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p>
<p><strong>Texas A&amp;M Dominates Defending Champions North Carolina </strong></p>
<p>The Aggies didn&#8217;t quite dominate the game for 40 minutes, but saying they dominated for 36 minutes would be accurate. The Tar Heels shot an abysmal 19.4 percent from the 3 point line and 32.9 percent overall. Texas dominated the rebounding numbers against a North Carolina team that almost never loses the rebounding margin. The game was highlighted by a furious block and full-court pass that set up A&amp;M Robert Williams for the windmill slam. Texas A&amp;M cruised past the defending champions 86-65. TJ Starks and Joel Berry II led their teams with 21 points each. The Aggies will advance to play Michigan in the Sweet Sixteen. The 2018 NCAA Tournament will no longer include North Carolina.</p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Robert Williams with the windmill slam after the block!</p>
<p>Texas A&amp;M closing this one out STRONG ?<a href="https://t.co/rp8BCpgmAH">pic.twitter.com/rp8BCpgmAH</a></p>
<p>— Def Pen Sports (@DefPenSports) <a href="https://twitter.com/DefPenSports/status/975508897132933121?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 18, 2018</a></p></blockquote>
<p><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p>
<p><strong>Nevada pulls off a miraculous comeback to defeat Cincinnati </strong></p>
<p>The Wolfpack of Nevada trailed by 22 points in the second half. Cincinnati was well on its way to advancing to the sweet sixteen. Nevada had other plans. The Wolfpack stormed back into the game with a 16-0 run and didn&#8217;t look back. The two seeded Bearcats had no answer for Cody Martin who led all scorers with 25 points and also had a game-high seven assists. The game was quickly tied at 73 with under a minute to go when Cincinnati attempted to go two for one. The Bearcats failed and the Wolfpack was quick to answer on the other end to take a two-point led with nine seconds left. Nevada locked down on defense and did not allow anything close to a good look for Cincinnati. Nevada wins 75-73 when the final buzzer sounded. They advance to play the buzzer-beating Cinderella Loyola-Chicago.</p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Nevada head coach Eric Musselman after the Wolf Pack&#8217;s 22 point comeback win: &#8220;Nothing feels better than this!&#8221;<a href="https://t.co/9jCelWi7wY">pic.twitter.com/9jCelWi7wY</a></p>
<p>— Def Pen Sports (@DefPenSports) <a href="https://twitter.com/DefPenSports/status/975527299318771712?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 19, 2018</a></p></blockquote>
<p><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p>
<p><strong>Clemson Dominates Auburn to Earn First Sweet Sixteen Bid Since 1997 </strong></p>
<p>The Clemson Tigers routed the Auburn Tigers 84-53. Clemson began the game firing hot and just didn&#8217;t let up against the SEC regular-season champion Auburn Tigers. Gabe DeVoe led the charge for Clemson with 22 points, five assists, and five rebounds. The Tigers are in the Sweet Sixteen again, but face a tall task against the one seed Kansas Jayhawks.</p>
<p><strong>Kansas State ends Cinderella Story UMBC</strong></p>
<p>UMBC <a href="http://defpen.com/umbc-virginia-upset-2018-ncaa-tournament/">made history</a> by downing the University of Virginia in the round of 64. UMBC wanted to continue its Cinderella story by defeating the Kansas State Wildcats but just ran out of gas to end the game. Kansas State&#8217;s Barry Brown posted a game-high 18 points and helped seal a victory by guarding round of 64 hero Jairus Lyles. The Retrievers just seemed to start settling for poor jump shots at the end of the game and the Wildcats ended up winning the matchup 50-43. Kansas State will move on to the Sweet Sixteen and face the Kentucky Wildcats who are the best seed left now at five. The historical game was fun, but this 2018 NCAA Tournament Cinderella story has ended.</p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<p dir="ltr" lang="und">OH <a href="https://t.co/iPeJb1bHwS">pic.twitter.com/iPeJb1bHwS</a></p>
<p>— Def Pen Sports (@DefPenSports) <a href="https://twitter.com/DefPenSports/status/975553033877753857?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 19, 2018</a></p></blockquote>
<p><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p>
<p><strong>Florida State Crashes Sweet Sixteen with Win Over One-Seed Xavier </strong></p>
<p>The Seminoles never gave up despite the Muskateers controlling almost the entire game and leading by 10 points with six minutes to go. Florida State didn&#8217;t panic and executed late in the second half to knock off the one seed Xavier Musketeers 75-70. Florida State trailed by 2 in the final minute of the game and a quick three saw them take the lead. Free throws after Xavier fouls would see the lead stretched to five. Xavier would not score again. The Seminoles were able to hold Trevon Bluiett to a quiet night of eight points on just 25 percent. Braian Angola led Florida State with 16 points on the night. FSU now faces the tall task of beating last year&#8217;s runner-ups&#8230; Gonzaga.</p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">SWEET SIXTEEN BOUND <a href="https://t.co/o6M9XyGBUK">pic.twitter.com/o6M9XyGBUK</a></p>
<p>— FSU Men&#8217;s Hoops (@FSUHoops) <a href="https://twitter.com/FSUHoops/status/975570357636739077?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 19, 2018</a></p></blockquote>
<p><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p>
<p><strong>West Virginia Routs In-State Rival Marshall for Final Spot in Sweet Sixteen </strong></p>
<p>Jevon Carter exploded for 28 points as the Mountaineers down the Thundering Herd 94-71. The game was very quickly easily in West Virginia&#8217;s hands. The Mountaineers find itself in the hardest bracket remaining. They have captured the final spot in the sweet sixteen but now find themselves staring down the Villanova Wildcats. The sweet sixteen is set and the 2018 NCAA Tournament will roll on next weekend.</p>
<p>The post <a rel="nofollow" href="http://defpen.com/2018-ncaa-tournament-round-two-day-two/">2018 NCAA Tournament Round Two Day Two Recap</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="http://defpen.com">Def Pen</a>.</p>
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</div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/defpenradio/~4/cSYe7buy340" height="1" width="1" alt=""/>http://defpen.com/2018-ncaa-tournament-round-two-day-two/feed/0http://defpen.com/2018-ncaa-tournament-round-two-day-two/Jason Terry Calls Out Bucks’ Starters, Wants to See More Fight From TeamBasketballLatestNBASportsJason TerryMilwaukee BucksDylan Edenfield2018-03-18T19:56:26-07:002018-03-18T19:56:26-07:00http://defpen.com/?p=262394<div class="post-more"><a href="http://defpen.com/jason-terry-bucks-starters/" class="btn btn-primary btn-effect"><span>View Post</span><span><i class="icon icon-arrow-right"></i></span></a></div>
<p>The post <a rel="nofollow" href="http://defpen.com/jason-terry-bucks-starters/">Jason Terry Calls Out Bucks&#8217; Starters, Wants to See More Fight From Team</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="http://defpen.com">Def Pen</a>.</p><p>&nbsp;</p>
<figure id="attachment_262401" style="max-width: 650px" class="wp-caption alignnone"><img class="size-medium wp-image-262401" src="https://i2.wp.com/defpen.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/Jason-Terry-1.jpg?resize=650%2C433" alt="Jason Terry" width="650" height="433" srcset="https://i2.wp.com/defpen.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/Jason-Terry-1.jpg?resize=650%2C433 650w, https://i2.wp.com/defpen.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/Jason-Terry-1.jpg?resize=768%2C512 768w, https://i2.wp.com/defpen.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/Jason-Terry-1.jpg?resize=720%2C480 720w, https://i2.wp.com/defpen.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/Jason-Terry-1.jpg?w=878 878w" sizes="(max-width: 650px) 100vw, 650px" data-recalc-dims="1" /><figcaption class="wp-caption-text">Longtime NBA veteran Jason Terry wants to see a stronger sense of urgency in the young Bucks&#8217; players. ((AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)</figcaption></figure>
<p>The Milwaukee Bucks haven&#8217;t exactly <a href="http://defpen.com/milwaukee-bucks-worried/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">lived up</a> to expectations since the All-Star break, losing eight of 11 games since, and after the Bucks&#8217; most reason defeat, a thrashing at the hands of the lowly Orlando Magic, longtime NBA veteran Jason Terry had some words to say about his team&#8217;s recent play.</p>
<p>After Terry&#8217;s alma mater, Arizona, fell at the hands of the Buffalo Bulls, he was reminded about the preparedness and sense of urgency of his own team, according to <a href="https://www.jsonline.com/story/sports/nba/bucks/2017/11/29/bucks-guard-jason-terry-ready-challenge-added-playing-time/903334001/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Matt Velazquez</a> of Milwaukee Journal Sentinel:</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<blockquote>
<p class="p-text">“It’s something as a professional basketball player, watching games like that? That’s the type of spirit that you would like to see maybe out of yourselves.</p>
<p class="p-text">“Watch the way they played — every possession was critical. Everything mattered. That’s the type of spirit that this Bucks team, we have to channel somehow. Some way.”</p>
</blockquote>
<p>The Jet also discussed the Bucks&#8217; starters and their ability to lead a team:</p>
<blockquote><p>“I think it starts with that first group. I’m going to put a lot of added pressure on them. They need to set the tone for us. They haven’t done that here in the last couple of weeks, and I think it’s about time. You’re starting the game for a reason, it’s a tremendous honor. I’ve been a starter in this league. It’s one of those things that, if you all get off to a good start? Everybody will start feeling good about themselves — and the other team might start second-guessing themselves.”</p>
<p>“They know that the bench guys, we’re here to fulfill a role, so I won’t put all the onus on them, but hey you’re starting. Get us off to a good start. We’ll do our part.”</p></blockquote>
<p>The Bucks, currently sitting at seventh place in the Eastern Conference, have to pick up their play before the playoff come around, and Terry&#8217;s comments should hopefully light a fire under this young Milwaukee team.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>The post <a rel="nofollow" href="http://defpen.com/jason-terry-bucks-starters/">Jason Terry Calls Out Bucks&#8217; Starters, Wants to See More Fight From Team</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="http://defpen.com">Def Pen</a>.</p>
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</div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/defpenradio/~4/qGdvsRd2mSY" height="1" width="1" alt=""/>http://defpen.com/jason-terry-bucks-starters/feed/0http://defpen.com/jason-terry-bucks-starters/Creed 2 Starts ProductionMovie NewsMoviesCreedcreed 2RockyGrant Yeager2018-03-18T16:30:24-07:002018-03-18T16:30:24-07:00http://defpen.com/?p=262385<div class="post-more"><a href="http://defpen.com/creed-2-starts-production/" class="btn btn-primary btn-effect"><span>View Post</span><span><i class="icon icon-arrow-right"></i></span></a></div>
<p>The post <a rel="nofollow" href="http://defpen.com/creed-2-starts-production/">Creed 2 Starts Production</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="http://defpen.com">Def Pen</a>.</p><figure style="max-width: 940px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img class="size-medium" src="https://i0.wp.com/defpen.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/creed-2.jpg?resize=940%2C529" alt="Creed 2" width="940" height="529" data-recalc-dims="1" /><figcaption class="wp-caption-text">Photos from the set of Creed 2 have emerged online this week.</figcaption></figure>
<p>The first set photos of <em>Creed 2</em> have emerged online, confirming the start of production.</p>
<p><em>Creed 2</em> sees Sylvester Stallone and Micheal B. Jordan reprise their roles as Rocky and Apollo Creed&#8217;s son Adonis, respectively. Dolph Lundgren is also returning as Ivan Drago, the fan-favorite villain from <em>Rocky IV</em> responsible for Apollo&#8217;s death. The film pits a newly crowned champion Adonis against Drago&#8217;s son Viktor.</p>
<p>The photos, <a href="http://www.philly.com/philly/entertainment/movies/creed-2-filming-philadelphia-dolph-lundgren-20180316.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">released by Philly.com</a> show Lungren and his on-screen son Viktor, played by Florian Munteanu. The pictures depict the senior Drago training his son, likely a recreation of the famous sequence from the original Rocky film. Jordan has to be seen on set and isn&#8217;t set to start filming for another month. Originally set to direct, Stallone also hasn&#8217;t been seen on set yet. After serving as a writer and producer on the original Creed film, Stallone will once again help write the script.</p>
<p>Ryan Coogler directed the original Creed film but Steven Caple Jr will take over directing duties for the sequel. Caple Jr is best known for writing and directing the 2016 drama <em>The Land</em>. After his critically acclaimed direction on the original, Coogler has expressed confidence in Caple&#8217;s ability.</p>
<p><em>Creed 2</em> releases November 21 later this year.</p>
<p>The post <a rel="nofollow" href="http://defpen.com/creed-2-starts-production/">Creed 2 Starts Production</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="http://defpen.com">Def Pen</a>.</p>
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</div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/defpenradio/~4/dqNDovqJy_Y" height="1" width="1" alt=""/>http://defpen.com/creed-2-starts-production/feed/0http://defpen.com/creed-2-starts-production/Migos Link Up With Drake For New ‘Walk It Like I Talk It’ VideoMusicMusic VideosDrakeMigosRyan Shepard2018-03-18T16:05:57-07:002018-03-18T16:05:57-07:00http://defpen.com/?p=262390<div class="post-more"><a href="http://defpen.com/migos-drake-walk-it-like-i-talk-it-video/" class="btn btn-primary btn-effect"><span>View Post</span><span><i class="icon icon-arrow-right"></i></span></a></div>
<p>The post <a rel="nofollow" href="http://defpen.com/migos-drake-walk-it-like-i-talk-it-video/">Migos Link Up With Drake For New &#8216;Walk It Like I Talk It&#8217; Video</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="http://defpen.com">Def Pen</a>.</p><p><img class="size-medium wp-image-249333 aligncenter" src="https://i0.wp.com/defpen.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/Migos-Future-Bruno-Mars-2017-BET-Awards.jpg?resize=600%2C420" alt="Migos Future Bruno Mars 2017 BET Awards" width="600" height="420" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/defpen.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/Migos-Future-Bruno-Mars-2017-BET-Awards.jpg?resize=600%2C420 600w, https://i0.wp.com/defpen.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/Migos-Future-Bruno-Mars-2017-BET-Awards.jpg?resize=768%2C538 768w, https://i0.wp.com/defpen.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/Migos-Future-Bruno-Mars-2017-BET-Awards.jpg?w=915 915w" sizes="(max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px" data-recalc-dims="1" /></p>
<p>The hottest group in Atlanta has linked up with the biggest rapper in the world for a big surprise. This afternoon, the frequent Atlanta-Toronto connection was renewed for the release of their video for &#8220;Walk It Like I Talk It&#8221;. In an interview with Angie Martinez, comedian Chris Rock described the Migos as &#8220;funky&#8221; and that is the best way to describe the vibe of their newest visual output. The five-minute video is an ode to the classic show <em>Soul Train</em> with cameos from Drake and your favorite trio of Atlanta trendsetters wearing 70&#8217;s inspired outfits.</p>
<div class="jetpack-video-wrapper"><iframe width="1140" height="855" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/fGqdIPer-ms?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>
<p>&#8220;Walk It Like I Talk It&#8221; was most recently featured on the Migos&#8217; #1 album, <em>Culture II</em>, which features the likes of Travis Scott, Gucci Mane, 2 Chainz, Nicki Minaj <a href="http://defpen.com/cardi-b-migos/">and Cardi B</a>. The group has not announced an official tour for the project, but is slated to make an appearance at the Broccoli City Festival in the nation&#8217;s capital next month.</p>
<p>Drake is looking to make some noise of his own this year. Earlier this month, the Toronto native announced that he was working on his next album. Last week, fans got a taste of his work when snippets of a track featuring himself and Lauryn Hill <a href="http://www.xxlmag.com/news/2018/03/drake-lauryn-hill-collaboration-preview/">leaked on Twitter</a>. Most recently, the Canadian rapper was featured on the remix of the Rihanna assisted N.E.R.D single, <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fzCct3j-pH8">&#8220;Lemon&#8221;</a>.</p>
<p>The post <a rel="nofollow" href="http://defpen.com/migos-drake-walk-it-like-i-talk-it-video/">Migos Link Up With Drake For New &#8216;Walk It Like I Talk It&#8217; Video</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="http://defpen.com">Def Pen</a>.</p>
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</div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/defpenradio/~4/NI2SWk8_QPw" height="1" width="1" alt=""/>http://defpen.com/migos-drake-walk-it-like-i-talk-it-video/feed/0http://defpen.com/migos-drake-walk-it-like-i-talk-it-video/New England Acquires Jason McCourty from ClevelandFootballNFLSportsCleveland BrownsDevin McCourtyJason McCourtyNew England PatriotsTennessee TitansRyan Timmerman2018-03-18T14:38:14-07:002018-03-18T14:38:14-07:00http://defpen.com/?p=262387<div class="post-more"><a href="http://defpen.com/new-england-acquires-jason-mccourty/" class="btn btn-primary btn-effect"><span>View Post</span><span><i class="icon icon-arrow-right"></i></span></a></div>
<p>The post <a rel="nofollow" href="http://defpen.com/new-england-acquires-jason-mccourty/">New England Acquires Jason McCourty from Cleveland</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="http://defpen.com">Def Pen</a>.</p><figure style="max-width: 640px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img class="size-medium" src="https://i2.wp.com/defpen.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/jason-mccourty.jpg?resize=640%2C361" alt="Jason McCourty" width="640" height="361" data-recalc-dims="1" /><figcaption class="wp-caption-text">Jason McCourty will now line up in the same defensive backfield as his twin brother, Devin. (Photo Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports)</figcaption></figure>
<p>With the unceremonious departure of Malcolm Butler, it was no surprise that the New England Patriots would be looking to their defensive backfield. However, they might not have expected to pair one of their defensive backs &#8211; Devin McCourty &#8211; with his twin brother as a means of filling the gap left by Butler. But that&#8217;s exactly what the Patriots did by acquiring Jason from the Cleveland Browns in <a href="https://nesn.com/2018/03/nfl-rumors-patriots-acquire-jason-mccourty-in-trade-with-browns-reunite-twins/">exchange for swapping late-round picks</a>.</p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Trade: The <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Browns?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Browns</a> have traded Jason McCourty to his brother Devin McCourty and the Patriots… They are swapping 6th and 7th round picks this year.</p>
<p>— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) <a href="https://twitter.com/RapSheet/status/974370369581830144?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 15, 2018</a></p></blockquote>
<p><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p>
<p>Jason McCourty was expected to be released by the Browns, but New England instead acted beforehand and made the deal. The Browns accepted, a pretty obvious move to get something for a player they were going to let go for nothing.</p>
<p>The Patriots have shown an ability to resuscitate careers of players let go by other clubs, and they hope the chemistry the twins have will transfer to the football field. Either way, it&#8217;s a pretty cool story, in and of itself, that the McCourty brothers will have the opportunity to play professional football together.</p>
<p>The brothers played together at Rutgers University but then were separated in the pro ranks when Devin was taken in the first round (27th overall) by New England while Jason had to wait until the sixth (203rd overall) to hear his name called by the Tennessee Titans.</p>
<p>Jason spent his first eight seasons in the NFL playing cornerback for Tennessee before signing on to play for the Browns in 2017. Devin hasn&#8217;t played for any other <a href="http://defpen.com/patriots-to-retain-safety-devin-mccourty/">team besides the Patriots</a> but has seen a position change (cornerback to safety) in his time there.</p>
<p>The newest Patriot has made 106 career starts and has NFL interceptions while his brother has accumulated 123 starts and 20 interceptions.</p>
<p>The post <a rel="nofollow" href="http://defpen.com/new-england-acquires-jason-mccourty/">New England Acquires Jason McCourty from Cleveland</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="http://defpen.com">Def Pen</a>.</p>
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</div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/defpenradio/~4/rDglcTaPDxs" height="1" width="1" alt=""/>http://defpen.com/new-england-acquires-jason-mccourty/feed/0http://defpen.com/new-england-acquires-jason-mccourty/LeBron James on Cavs Coach Tyronn Lue: “We worry about his health”BasketballLatestNBASportsCleveland CavaliersTyronn LueJD Shaw2018-03-18T13:06:03-07:002018-03-18T13:06:03-07:00http://defpen.com/?p=262384<div class="post-more"><a href="http://defpen.com/cavaliers-tyronn-lue-health/" class="btn btn-primary btn-effect"><span>View Post</span><span><i class="icon icon-arrow-right"></i></span></a></div>
<p>The post <a rel="nofollow" href="http://defpen.com/cavaliers-tyronn-lue-health/">LeBron James on Cavs Coach Tyronn Lue: “We worry about his health”</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="http://defpen.com">Def Pen</a>.</p><figure id="attachment_247939" style="max-width: 600px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img class="size-medium wp-image-247939" src="https://i0.wp.com/defpen.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/Tyronn-Lue.jpg?resize=600%2C416" alt="Tyronn Lue" width="600" height="416" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/defpen.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/Tyronn-Lue.jpg?resize=600%2C416 600w, https://i0.wp.com/defpen.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/Tyronn-Lue.jpg?resize=768%2C532 768w, https://i0.wp.com/defpen.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/Tyronn-Lue.jpg?w=960 960w" sizes="(max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px" data-recalc-dims="1" /><figcaption class="wp-caption-text">Tyronn Lue is in his third season coaching the Cavaliers. (Tony Dejak/Associated Press)</figcaption></figure>
<p>Cleveland Cavaliers head coach Tyronn Lue left the team’s game against the Bulls on Saturday night due to an unspecified illness, something which has caused concern throughout the Cavaliers franchise.</p>
<p>Cleveland defeated Chicago on the road, ending their 11-game trip. James was asked after the game if Lue’s health has affected the team throughout the season.</p>
<p>&#8220;I mean, he&#8217;s the captain of the ship, so absolutely,&#8221; James said, <a href="http://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/22811497/cleveland-cavaliers-just-9-healthy-players-vs-chicago-bulls" target="_blank" rel="noopener">according to ESPN.</a> &#8220;We worry about his health, obviously. That&#8217;s way more important than this game of basketball. We know he&#8217;s been doing everything he needs to do to stay healthy. Take even more measures to get himself right. Everything that&#8217;s been going on with our year, it&#8217;s just another one.”</p>
<p>Lue has dealt with illness multiple times this season, but nonetheless, James and the Cavaliers will stay the course and remain focused on the task at hand.</p>
<p>&#8220;It doesn&#8217;t catch us off-guard because he&#8217;s been dealing with it for so long now,&#8221; James said. &#8220;But any time he doesn&#8217;t come back to the bench, it&#8217;s just an alarm going off, obviously. Like I said, his health is more important. He&#8217;s not going to talk about it, so I don&#8217;t want to talk about it no more either. That&#8217;s just how he is, and I don&#8217;t want to get too much into it.&#8221;</p>
<p>Lue appeared to be in good spirits before the game tipped off, according to ESPN. He was seen leaving the team locker room and walking to the team’s bus with associate head coach Larry Drew.</p>
<p>It’s unknown whether Lue will coach in the Cavs’ home game against Milwaukee on Monday.</p>
<p>The post <a rel="nofollow" href="http://defpen.com/cavaliers-tyronn-lue-health/">LeBron James on Cavs Coach Tyronn Lue: “We worry about his health”</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="http://defpen.com">Def Pen</a>.</p>
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</div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/defpenradio/~4/6arKb7L6aIg" height="1" width="1" alt=""/>http://defpen.com/cavaliers-tyronn-lue-health/feed/0http://defpen.com/cavaliers-tyronn-lue-health/Rajon Rondo Responds to Ray Allen: “He just wants attention”BasketballLatestNBASportsBoston CelticsRajon RondoRay AllenJD Shaw2018-03-18T11:10:06-07:002018-03-18T11:10:06-07:00http://defpen.com/?p=262383<div class="post-more"><a href="http://defpen.com/rajon-rondo-ray-allen-attention/" class="btn btn-primary btn-effect"><span>View Post</span><span><i class="icon icon-arrow-right"></i></span></a></div>
<p>The post <a rel="nofollow" href="http://defpen.com/rajon-rondo-ray-allen-attention/">Rajon Rondo Responds to Ray Allen: “He just wants attention”</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="http://defpen.com">Def Pen</a>.</p><figure id="attachment_261961" style="max-width: 650px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img class="size-medium wp-image-261961" src="https://i1.wp.com/defpen.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/ray-allen-doc-rivers.jpg?resize=650%2C433" alt="" width="650" height="433" srcset="https://i1.wp.com/defpen.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/ray-allen-doc-rivers.jpg?resize=650%2C433 650w, https://i1.wp.com/defpen.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/ray-allen-doc-rivers.jpg?resize=768%2C512 768w, https://i1.wp.com/defpen.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/ray-allen-doc-rivers.jpg?resize=1024%2C683 1024w, https://i1.wp.com/defpen.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/ray-allen-doc-rivers.jpg?resize=720%2C480 720w, https://i1.wp.com/defpen.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/ray-allen-doc-rivers.jpg?w=2280 2280w" sizes="(max-width: 650px) 100vw, 650px" data-recalc-dims="1" /><figcaption class="wp-caption-text">Former Celtics teammates Ray Allen (left) and Rajon Rondo (right). (Issac Baldizon/Getty Images)</figcaption></figure>
<p>Rajon Rondo responded to former Celtics teammate Ray Allen this week, upset and perplexed over why Allen continues to bring up discussions involving Rondo’s name from when they played together.</p>
<p>Allen’s book, which is set to be released soon, reportedly has several excerpts involving Rondo and other Celtics teammates such as Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett. One thing Allen wrote, according to the Globe, was that Rondo told his teammates he carried them to a title in 2008.</p>
<p>“He just wants attention,” Rondo <a href="https://www.bostonglobe.com/sports/celtics/2018/03/18/just-wants-attention-rajon-rondo-responds-ray-allen-book-excerpts/ueY0vXHLwaOlUDjwOdMWwJ/story.html">told the Boston Globe.</a> “I need actually some sales from [the book], only [publicity] it’s been getting is from my name. I need some percentage or something. His people contact my people or something. The only pub I’ve been hearing about is when he mentions my name.”</p>
<p>Rondo didn’t hold back when discussing Allen, clearly frustrated with him continuing to discuss his name years after Allen left the team to join the Miami Heat.</p>
<p>“Obviously that man is hurting,” Rondo said. “I don’t know if it’s financially, I don’t know if it’s mentally. He wants to stay relevant. I am who I am. I don’t try to be something I’m not. I can’t say the same for him. He’s looking for attention. I’m a better human being than that. I take accountability for my actions.</p>
<p>“Certain [stuff] happens in my life, I man up. But he has a whole other agenda.”</p>
<p>In the Boston Globe story, Rondo states he probably supported Ray Allen the most out of his teammates. He also claims he wasn’t upset when Allen left Boston to join Miami in the summer of 2013.</p>
<p>“I just want to talk to him man-to-man,” Rondo said. “I don’t have a problem with the man. I haven’t said anything. The problem is maybe he feels some type of way because the reunion trip thing came out. All I did was ask the rest of the guys. I’m the point guard, so I’m going to organize the trip. I asked the rest of my guys what y’all want to do and they said no. What am I supposed to do?</p>
<p>“I’ll be the fall guy, but damn now you in the book talking about this and that. And for me as a teammate, I probably supported [Allen] more than anybody on the team, all [his stuff] that [he] had going on in Boston. I wasn’t mad that [he] went to Miami.”</p>
<p>The post <a rel="nofollow" href="http://defpen.com/rajon-rondo-ray-allen-attention/">Rajon Rondo Responds to Ray Allen: “He just wants attention”</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="http://defpen.com">Def Pen</a>.</p>
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</div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/defpenradio/~4/Z0iqE7lHH8A" height="1" width="1" alt=""/>http://defpen.com/rajon-rondo-ray-allen-attention/feed/0http://defpen.com/rajon-rondo-ray-allen-attention/5-Years, $45 Million for Justin Pugh from Arizona CardinalsFootballLatestNFLSportsArizona CardinalsJustin PughNew York GiantsSam BradfordRyan Timmerman2018-03-18T10:57:31-07:002018-03-18T10:57:31-07:00http://defpen.com/?p=262379<div class="post-more"><a href="http://defpen.com/justin-pugh-arizona-cardinals/" class="btn btn-primary btn-effect"><span>View Post</span><span><i class="icon icon-arrow-right"></i></span></a></div>
<p>The post <a rel="nofollow" href="http://defpen.com/justin-pugh-arizona-cardinals/">5-Years, $45 Million for Justin Pugh from Arizona Cardinals</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="http://defpen.com">Def Pen</a>.</p><figure style="max-width: 600px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img class="size-medium" src="https://i0.wp.com/defpen.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/justin-pugh.jpg?resize=600%2C399" alt="Justin Pugh" width="600" height="399" data-recalc-dims="1" /><figcaption class="wp-caption-text">Offensive lineman Justin Pugh has agreed to a contract with the Arizona Cardinals. (Photo Credit: New York Giants/Twitter)</figcaption></figure>
<p>A lot of NFL teams with new quarterbacks have shifted their focus to protecting those new signal-callers. The Arizona Cardinals are no exception. After making deals for QBs Sam Bradford and Mike Glennon, Arizona&#8217;s next move &#8211; signing offensive lineman <a href="http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000921902/article/justin-pugh-signs-45m-deal-with-arizona-cardinals">Justin Pugh</a> &#8211; shouldn&#8217;t come as much of a shock. The total for Pugh&#8217;s deal, five years and $45 million, might be a bit surprising, but the Cardinals can spare no expense in their effort to keep Bradford upright and clean.</p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Pugh puts pen to paper. <a href="https://t.co/GiOq2oaVVs">pic.twitter.com/GiOq2oaVVs</a></p>
<p>— Arizona Cardinals (@AZCardinals) <a href="https://twitter.com/AZCardinals/status/975097984768606208?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 17, 2018</a></p></blockquote>
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<p>Pugh was a 2013 first-round draft pick (19th overall) of the <a href="http://defpen.com/new-york-giants-improve-offensive-line-sign-d-j-fluker-re-sign-john-jerry/">New York Giants</a> out of Syracuse University. He has spent his first five <a href="http://arizonasports.com/story/1467917/justin-pugh-leave-unlikely-friendship-behind-sign-cardinals/">NFL years in New York</a>, playing a combination of both tackle positions as well as some left guard. His versatility is clearly something teams desire, especially the Cardinals.</p>
<p>Pugh ended 2017 on the Giants&#8217; IR with a <a href="https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/2017/12/14/giants-put-offensive-lineman-justin-pugh-on-injured-reserve/108606266/">bad back</a>. However, surgery was not needed in his recovery. And clearly, the Cardinals don&#8217;t think it&#8217;s much of an issue anymore, although backs can (understandably) be enough to make teams shy away from signing offensive linemen to long-term deals.</p>
<p>Despite Justin Pugh&#8217;s 2017 ending prematurely, he&#8217;s managed to stay relatively healthy throughout his career. Until last season, he played in all 16 games as a rookie in 2013, 14 games each in 2014 and 2015, and 11 regular season games in 2016.</p>
<p>His effort in 2013 led to him being named to the NFL&#8217;s All-Rookie Team. Pugh has earned a total of 63 starts in his NFL career. Arizona will hope for many more as Pugh brings the potential for stability and reliability along the Cardinals&#8217; front.</p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">To all my <a href="https://twitter.com/Giants?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Giants</a> friends, fans and supporters I will have more to say Monday about my time in NY. Until then thank you. I love you all!</p>
<p>— Justin Pugh (@JustinPugh) <a href="https://twitter.com/JustinPugh/status/975102760180789248?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 17, 2018</a></p></blockquote>
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<p>The post <a rel="nofollow" href="http://defpen.com/justin-pugh-arizona-cardinals/">5-Years, $45 Million for Justin Pugh from Arizona Cardinals</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="http://defpen.com">Def Pen</a>.</p>
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</div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/defpenradio/~4/nElbwC4DIJY" height="1" width="1" alt=""/>http://defpen.com/justin-pugh-arizona-cardinals/feed/0http://defpen.com/justin-pugh-arizona-cardinals/Veteran RB Danny Woodhead Announces RetirementFootballNFLSportsBaltimore RavensDanny WoodheadDuncan McGlinn2018-03-18T09:13:36-07:002018-03-18T09:13:36-07:00http://defpen.com/?p=262372<div class="post-more"><a href="http://defpen.com/danny-woodhead-announces-retirement/" class="btn btn-primary btn-effect"><span>View Post</span><span><i class="icon icon-arrow-right"></i></span></a></div>
<p>The post <a rel="nofollow" href="http://defpen.com/danny-woodhead-announces-retirement/">Veteran RB Danny Woodhead Announces Retirement</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="http://defpen.com">Def Pen</a>.</p><figure style="max-width: 800px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img class="size-medium" src="https://i2.wp.com/defpen.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/danny-woodhead.jpg?resize=800%2C533" width="800" height="533" title="" alt="" data-recalc-dims="1" /><figcaption class="wp-caption-text">Danny Woodhead (Ron Elkman/Sports Imagery/Getty Images)</figcaption></figure>
<p>Running Back Danny Woodhead announced his retirement after nine NFL seasons Friday night on his Instagram.</p>
<blockquote class="instagram-media" style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 658px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/BgaS2hXn3-i/" data-instgrm-version="8">
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<div style="background: url(data:image/png; base64,ivborw0kggoaaaansuheugaaacwaaaascamaaaapwqozaaaabgdbtueaalgpc/xhbqaaaafzukdcak7ohokaaaamuexurczmzpf399fx1+bm5mzy9amaaadisurbvdjlvzxbesmgces5/p8/t9furvcrmu73jwlzosgsiizurcjo/ad+eqjjb4hv8bft+idpqocx1wjosbfhh2xssxeiyn3uli/6mnree07uiwjev8ueowds88ly97kqytlijkktuybbruayvh5wohixmpi5we58ek028czwyuqdlkpg1bkb4nnm+veanfhqn1k4+gpt6ugqcvu2h2ovuif/gwufyy8owepdyzsa3avcqpvovvzzz2vtnn2wu8qzvjddeto90gsy9mvlqtgysy231mxry6i2ggqjrty0l8fxcxfcbbhwrsyyaaaaaelftksuqmcc); display: block; height: 44px; margin: 0 auto -44px; position: relative; top: -22px; width: 44px;"></div>
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<p style="margin: 8px 0 0 0; padding: 0 4px;"><a style="color: #000; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none; word-wrap: break-word;" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BgaS2hXn3-i/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">10 years! Wow, God had crazy plans for a small little kid from North Platte, NE! It’s been a wild ride and feel so blessed He allowed me to do what I loved for so long. But now it’s time to say goodbye to the game I love. First, I want to thank my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ! Without Him my career wouldn’t have been possible. He blessed me with the gifts and He paved the way. All I had to do was follow His plans for my life, and His plans were crazy awesome! Next, I want to thank my wife who has been by my side since freshman year of high school. She has been a rock through all the ups and downs. Sis, Willy, Mae Mae, and Hopie your daddy is going to be home a ton more and I can’t wait! Thanks to my Dad and Mom for always supporting me and showing me that God is first, then everything else will fall into place. Ben, Joel, and Anna thanks for preparing me for the NFL in our backyard games growing up. The dreaded in-laws Steve and Suzie for always being there for me. Chris Gittings (agent) you’re the best and thankful your my brother/uncle! Thank you Jets, Patriots, Chargers, and Ravens! Thanks to all my head coaches (Bob Zohner, Brad Smith, Bill O’Boyle, Eric Mangini, Rex Ryan, Bill Belichick, Mike McCoy, and John Harbaugh) who believed in me! To my rbs coaches (coach skiles, coach reiners, Jimmy Raye, A Lynn, Ivan, Ollie, Ridge, and Thomas) thanks for putting up with me. Thanks to all my teammates from high school till now. Without you guys I never would’ve become who I was as a player. To all my olinemen, you guys deserve the credit for anything that I received credit for. I thank you for helping make my career. To all the trainers, team docs, strength coaches, chiropractors, massage therapists, physical therapists, body gurus thanks for making sure I was on the field. To all the people who made my life easier at the facility (ops, pr, equipment staff, cafe workers, custodians) thanks and your work doesn’t go unnoticed. And how could i forget all my fans?! You’re the best and have always felt the love and support! I’m sure I’ve forgotten a few but know that I’m thankful for everything everyone has done on my journey.</a></p>
<p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;">A post shared by <a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px;" href="https://www.instagram.com/teamwoody39/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> Danny Woodhead</a> (@teamwoody39) on <time style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px;" datetime="2018-03-17T04:25:50+00:00">Mar 16, 2018 at 9:25pm PDT</time></p>
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<p>Danny Woodhead was a versatile back who was known for his receiving skills out of the backfield. Woodhead scored 32 career touchdowns (15 rushing, 17 receiving) and had 4,936 total yards (2,238 rushing, 2,698 receiving) during his nine NFL seasons with the <a href="http://defpen.com/jets-sign-isaiah-crowell/">New York Jets</a>, New England Patriots, San Diego Chargers and the <a href="http://defpen.com/ravens-sign-michael-crabtree/">Baltimore Ravens</a>.</p>
<p>Woodhead signed a three-year deal with the Baltimore Ravens he was released on March 13th after an injury-plagued season. During his first game in Baltimore Woodhead reaggravated a hamstring injury and didn&#8217;t play until mid-November.</p>
<p>Danny Woodhead has finished the season with 200 receiving yards and 56 rushing yards in an eight-game season.</p>
<p>The post <a rel="nofollow" href="http://defpen.com/danny-woodhead-announces-retirement/">Veteran RB Danny Woodhead Announces Retirement</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="http://defpen.com">Def Pen</a>.</p>
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